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OVERVIEW ON DIRECTIONAL DRILLING WELLS

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 VOL. 16, NO. 22, N0VEMBER 2021 ISSN 1819-6608
ARPN Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
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OVERVIEW ON DIRECTIONAL DRILLING WELLS

Busahmin Bashir1, Marek Piaskowy2 and Gamal Alusta3
1Petroleumand Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Brunei, Brunei Darussalam
2Directional
Drilling Service, Exalo Drilling Oil and Gas Exploration Company, Cracow, Poland
3Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Alain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

E-Mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Drilling a well is a cost intangible, because a well costs millions of dollars, so the more dollars that is spent in a
well, the more oil and gas has to be produced over the life of a well. If costs are not accurate, the economics change after a
well has been drilled, as a result, the estimated costs are risked i.e. a success factor is placed on the well. The lower the
factor, the lower the chance of success and an estimated cost can change the risk profit of any well. These days the
improvement of drilling technology is so challenging, however most of the wells drilled in around the world directional
wells are. For effortlessness, a directional well is one that is not vertically drilled purposefully or inadvertently. As drilling
activity expands more and more places are becoming inaccessible hence the need for directional drilling. It is essential to
comprehend the requirement for directional wells, as well as planning and execution. The idea of directional drilling has
changed the way wherein wells are drilled everywhere today, from simple deviated wells to horizontals and multilateral
wells; the wells made an unavailable areas accessible while increasing the area for drainage by each well drilled, with the
wide application of such methods in the world. This paper represents an overview for directional wells with emphasis of
the application using real field data, a case study from Poland related to J-shape, S-shape drilling profile .Moreover,
directional and horizontal drilling provides more access to the oil reservoirs, thereafter more oil will be produced over
vertical wells.

Keywords: side-tracking, bottom hole assembly, directional wells, horizontal wells, relief wells.

INTRODUCTION in a different direction. Some wells are required to access

When drilling started in the early days of the resources below ground that are directly beneath an area
search for oil and gas, it used to be vertical drilling only. where a drilling rig cannot be placed due to an obstruction
The objective was to reach to a certain depth. True at the surface, Inaccessible Location as shown in figure 2.
measurements of where the well was placed according to These reasons could be the presence of populated area,
coordinates below ground were not considered critical. As river, mountain, jungle etc. In some instances, it is cheaper
drilling got more challenging, the field of directional to place a land rig to drill a deviated well below the sea
drilling took off, as directional drilling is able to plan and than to place an offshore rig directly above the target area
execute very difficult well paths [1]. In everyday drilling, [7], One of the most difficult wells to drill is a vertical
the objective is to stay the course and get the well to total well, so maintaining verticality is challenging, because
Depth. The shape of the well could be vertical or getting a flexible pipe to drill a straight hole is quite a
directional. Keeping the well vertical is one of the most challenge [8, 9]. In several occasions, especially in the
challenging tasks [2]. When the length of the drill pipe foothills region of Alberta, Canada, keeping a well vertical
reaches three singles, or one stand, the pipe becomes bent can be a huge task. The reasons are beyond the control of
because of its own weight sagging in air due to gravity [3], the operating company; high dipping beds of the formation
similarly, when this pipe is sent underground, it bends are created because of tectonic forces in the area [10]. The
underweight and tends to deviate in any direction that the solution has to come in the form of directional drilling,
forces push it. In some instances, this can be acceptable, where specialized equipment is used to maintain the
while in others it can be detrimental. Directional drilling is verticality of the wellbore. Conventional forms of using
the art of intentionally deviating a wellbore along a fixed specialized bottom hole assemblies fail in such situations,
path [4], determined for numerous reasons by the because the dip of the formation throws the assembly in a
operating company in conjunction with the directional different direction each time. One of the special
company. In order to plan a directional well, one must applications of directional drilling is the drilling of relief
know what the objective is of the well and the coordinates wells [11], where a well is drilled to intersect another well,
of the intended target below the surface. [5, 6], Side- which has gone out of control, and is burning or flowing
tracking as shown in figure 1 was the first intentional hydrocarbons at an uncontrollable rate. The best example
method of directional drilling, which was to avoid a fish. is that of the Macondo well in Gulf of Mexico, which
A fish is an object that fell down the wellbore or got left in caused the biggest spill of oil in the history of the United
the wellbore once a piece of equipment broke off. The States. The well was finally brought under control because
primary objective in this kind of a well is simply to get of drilling a relief well that intersected the Macondo well.
away from the obstruction, and direction is not important, ‘Kill mud’ was then dumped into the relief well as per
some sidetracks are done to find out the extent of the figure 3 to seal the flowing well. [12] Directional drilling
reservoir, while others are done to create another wellbore has managed to reduce the costs of drilling offshore by

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enabling the operating company to utilize the limited

amount of space available on an offshore platform and
maximizing the reach of each additional well, and vast
majorities of fields are located offshore, and more
exploration is carried out each day to find resources
beneath the sea. The cost of each platform is huge; as a
result, extra effort is made to plan the wells to be drilled
out of that platform so that they use all the available space.
If the wells were to be only vertical, several platforms
would be required to access the entire field, and that would
be uneconomical. As a result, wells are directionally
drilled to ‘step-out’ from the platform distances of up to
10 km each. [13] Since salt is a natural trap for
hydrocarbons, many oil and gas fields are located in places
where salt is the cap rock. Drilling through a salt dome can
be very difficult, as salt is dissolved in the drilling mud
and makes a huge cave, which then becomes difficult to
handle. This difficulty arises as a result of not knowing the
extent of the cave created by the drilling; in not knowing
that information, one cannot predict the amount of cement
required to set the casing in place. In such a situation, the
best scenario is to keep the rig to one side of the salt dome
and to drill directionally to reach below the salt dome and
access the hydrocarbons. [14] Horizontal wells have found Figure-1. Sidetrack applied on different geological
the most application in the industry today, especially in formations.
Canada where wells are drilled to produce heavy oil deep
in the ground that was unable to be recovered with
previous methods. A horizontal well was drilled to a curve
section, to build the inclination of the wellbore to 90
degrees. Then held at that angle for a considerable length
of the wellbore [15]. The horizontal wells are divided into
several categories: medium, short and long radius. The
radius refers to how quickly, in the rate of build, the well
is brought to 90-degree mark [16]. Several types of
directional wells named J-type and S-type these are known
by their shapes of the wellbore path. J-type, in this type of
the well, the wellbore is deviated after a certain depth to a
planned inclination, and then is held to the target depth. It
has another name as ‘kick-off & hold,’ or slant well. This
is the most common type of directional well drilled due to
the simplicity of its design. The S-type well is similar to
the J-type in the first part, and then the well is brought
Figure-2. Inaccessible location (Target).
back to vertical or near vertical to get to the target. S-type
well is most suited in conditions where a specific
geological formation or complexity needs to be avoided.

Figure-3. Relief well for well control.

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TERMINOLOGIES catastrophic consequence. Information related to bit usage

In order to plan a directional well, terminologies can be best utilized to maximize the rate of penetration for
related to different inputs are so essential. These each section planned. On a similar note, if adverse
terminologies including, for example, kick-off point, and experiences were recorded in a particular section of the
that is well-defined as a point in the wellbore at a given well, a change of bit type or structure can be planned for
vertical depth below the surface up to a given inclination optimizing the rate of penetration. Having knowledge of
at a given build rate. The selection of the kick-off point is key seats, sloughing shale, tight hole and directional
made by considering the geometrical well path and the tendencies can help in averting disasters while drilling
geological characteristics, the optimal inclination at 200 ft. [24].
KOP depth since the maximum inclination is 18.87º,
which is beneath 35º, where if the trajectory planned at RIG EQUIPMENTS
600 ft. hole problem might happen. [17]. Another example In many circumstances, what the rig can deliver
is related to build-up rates, initially inclination is built is the deciding factor in terms of what bottom hole
from vertical, or dropped back from an existing inclination assembly can be run in the hole to deliver the desired
angle at these rates as well as inclination, azimuth, hole results. For example, if the plan is to drill to a certain
section, dogleg severity and measured depth are depth and the calculated rotary torque will exceed the rig
considered to play a major role in the terminologies limitations, then either the well will need to be re-planned
mentioned [18]. Several pieces of information are required or a different rig will need to be sought, depending on the
in the calculations of directional drilling, for example, the planning stage. Similarly, if the well is supposed to have a
target and that includes the size, shape, primary and certain length of casing run in a hole size, the rig draws
secondary [19]. Geology is vital like structural description, works/drilling line should be able to pick up the weight of
Dips, Fault locations, and Formation hardness [20]. In the casing string to be run. When planning directional
addition, offset well data, directional tendencies, formation wells, a consideration needs to be made for the directional
tops, bit records and problems encountered. Moreover, tools; these tools tend to have a certain pressure loss
well rig limitations, which involves in pumps, rotary, and associated with them, and could result in a higher pressure
a draw works. Bottom hole assembly, mud motor, drill at the standpipe than with conventional rotary drilling. The
collars, stabilizers, and others. Drilling parameters, like pumps, therefore, need to be able to sustain the required
mud type and dogleg severity permissibility. As well as a pressures in order to successfully drill the desired well [25,
survey available, accuracy requirements. Pipe and collar 26]. Depending on the task, bottom hole assembly, BHA
data, which involves in stuffiness factor, buoyancy factor selection needs to be carefully analysed [27]., by knowing
and deviation factor. Furthermore, expected well what drill pipes, drill collars, stabilizers and down hole
productivity and casings [21]. All effort should be made to tools are required, planning can be done to ensure that the
ascertain an achievable target size; the smaller the target proper makeup of tools is available at the well site. In
is, the more difficult it will be to achieve during execution. most contracts, the drilling contractor supplies the basic
Survey tools required would need to be more accurate, and drilling equipment but if there are special requirements,
hence the cost of drilling such a well could go up. In ideal those must be supplied by the operating company. These
situations, a circular target size is a 50m radius. Target can specialized drilling equipments can be non-magnetic drill
also have a primary and secondary objective (i.e., the pipes/collars, non-magnetic stabilizers, casing wear
geologist might want to obtain information from two protectors, high torque connections etc. Depending on the
different zones or formations). In such a case, information hole size to be drilled, directional equipment would need
regarding what angle to approach the second target with, to be communicated to the directional service provider. If
or the difference in height between the two targets, would rotary, build/drop or hold, bottom hole assembly are
determine if the well planning can be achieved or not for planned, then knowing the size of available stabilizers
that specific target [22]. Most of the well planning relies would help in planning for these bottom hole assembly.
heavily on subsurface geological information, and each Each section must have the bottom hole assembly, BHA,
piece of information is critical in proper well planning. For which has the ability to pass thorough the previous casing;
instance, formation tops determine casing depths [23], therefore, the outer diameter of the BHA must be less than
which then determine what possible angle the well would the drift of the previous casing [28].
have to be at each casing depth. The formation tops also
determine what angle might be planned for a specific DRILLING PARAMETERS
formation if that formation tends to ‘throw’ the bit into a A critical factor in planning is the type of drilling
particular direction or tends to drop/build in rotary drilling. fluid to be utilized for the well. Knowing the type and
Similar to geology, the offset well data is another set of formulation of the drilling mud can assist with the proper
information crucial to planning a directional well. If an selection of BHA. In some invert mud systems, the
offset well had encountered certain problems with relation presence of silicate can be detrimental to the rubber in the
to the directional BHA response, then the lesson learned down hole tools and surface equipment. This can reduce
would help in determining the correct BHA for a particular the life of a mud motor [29], measurement while drilling
section of the well. Having information on formation tops (MWD) tools and mud pump liners. Together with offset
could help prevent entering a zone of high pressure data, optimum mud parameters can be obtained at the
without a change of the mud system, and thereby prevent a planning stages to prevent bad hole conditions, which can

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be detrimental to the execution of the directional well. The major concern. This concern is heightened even more
right properties can aid in the directional well execution should the wells nearby be producing hydrocarbons.
stage by helping the directional driller to slide the BHA Planning for anti-collision [36], starts with a collection of
when required and prevent BHA hanging. On the other survey data from all the nearby wells. These are input into
hand, having an improper drilling mud can result in BHA well planning software to map out the distances between
being lost in hole, resulting in either a sidetrack being wells. This information is then used by the directional
planned or abandonment of the hole. In some cases, there driller on the well site to navigate through the web of other
is a limitation on the severity of the build or drop rate wells in the vicinity. One of the plots generated to view
coming from production. This could be due to the this data is referred to as a spider plot. Due to the
completion string to follow at the end of the well. As a intricacies of well planning and execution, a proximity
result, the well must be planned to conform to the analysis is also performed to measure more accurately the
requirements of the build/drop rates [30]. In all directional distances to the nearby wells. This analysis is referred to
wells, survey instruments play a major role in determining as a travelling cylinder. This involves imagining a cylinder
the coordinates of the wellbore being drilled in three- with a given radius enclosing the wellbore from one depth
dimensional space. Without the survey tools, the location to the next. Any well entering this cylinder or approaching
of the BHA (and therefore the wellbore trajectory) cannot closer than the radius of the cylinder to the central well is
be monitored. Knowing the presence of nearby wells can plotted and displayed graphically. Another way to
help to determine which type of survey tool to use in order understand this plot is to consider someone riding a water
to overcome possible interference in readings due to the slide. The person is always in the Centre of the slide as
presence of magnetic casing string. In addition, in cases he/she slides down, but in three-dimension, the relative
where multiple wells are planned from one main hole, position to the ground is always changing. If that person
having the survey tool with the proper tolerances and stops at some point and looks outside, he/she can see
accuracy would ensure that the well is drilled within the where the other wells are with respect to his or her
window allowed. The survey instrument with the best position. This same scenario is displayed in a travelling
accuracy in the industry is the gyro tool [31], which is cylinder with the subject well always at the Centre of the
used in wells where nearby magnetic interference is of plot. As with all programs, there is limited accuracy to the
concern (as is the case with offshore platforms). The basic tools used in calculating the surveys for a directional well
property of the drill pipe and collars are required for [37] and some of these tools are more accurate than others
effective well planning. When drilling short radius wells, in determining the position of the wellbore, while others
these properties play a major role in determining the life of are prone to some degree of error. Besides the error from
the pipes/collars. These properties also determine the flow the mathematical model of calculations for each tool, there
and hydraulics requirement of the bottom hole assembly, is another source of error which is introduced by the down
(BHA), as well as flow regimes in and around the BHA. hole changes in magnetic field. This change in magnetic
Turbulent flow is required for effective hole cleaning and interference could possibly remain undetected, thereby
proper lifting of cuttings from the bit to the surface [32, resulting in error associated with azimuth. A study was
33]. Wellbore pressures [34], and completion can carried out in this regard by (Wolff & De Wardt, 1981),
determine the size of the casings to be utilized, and that where an ellipsoid of uncertainty was proposed along the
determines the different casing sizes to use. These sizes well path to show the probable envelope of the likely
would in turn determine which tool sizes can be planned position of the well based on the error of the survey
for in-the-hole sizes to be drilled. Some specialized tools measurement. This method attempted to quantify the
can only be run in specific hole sizes; therefore, by systematic error associated with either a gyro or other
knowing what is required, the proper string can be measurement tools, and the error due to misalignment of
selected. For mud motors, knowing the drift of the casing the tool in the hole, depth measurement and inclination.
will determine the maximum bend housing angle that can Understanding this uncertainty is paramount to
pass through the casing, which would result in the understanding the problems associated with drilling a
limitations on the build rate severity of the bottom hole directional well. As briefly mentioned earlier, formations
assembly. have a natural tendency to push the drilling assembly in a
certain direction. Having the knowledge of the existence
EXECUTION OF DIRECTIONAL WELLS of these tendencies can aid a directional driller in making
Once the plan is in place and proper equipment the right decision about ‘sliding’ or rotating [38]. In the
has been sourced, the next phase is to carry out the drilling process of sliding, the bend housing of the mud motor is
of the directional well. Having the right people on the job utilized and the drill string is held stationary from the
cannot be emphasized enough. One of the major reasons surface and slowly lowered in the hole allowing the bit,
for problems while drilling a directional well goes back to which is rotated by the power section of the mud motor, to
incorrect inputs when measuring the offset angle [35], on be directed towards the intended course of the well path.
the motor bend housing from the survey tool. A directional As can be inferred from this action, this process slows
driller who knows the area where the well is being drilled down drilling considerably; sometimes lowering the rate
is an important part of a successful planning and execution of penetration to less than half of the rotating rate of
of the well plan. If the well is being drilled off a pad or an penetration. Using the tendency of the formation, the
offshore platform, colliding with other wells becomes the directional driller can plan for the turn, cut down on the

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sliding, and hence increase the overall rate of penetration. Measurement while drilling (MWD) tools are the most
For proper execution procedure, a directional driller common surveying tools in directional wells these days.
always ‘looks ahead’ to know what to expect from his The biggest advantage these tools have with respect to the
BHA in hole. Due to the makeup of BHA, the survey tools other tools is that normal drilling can be carried out while
are always behind the mud motor by a distance that varies surveying. In the case of a gyro or single/multi-shot tools,
with the service provider, but is around 15 m behind the one needs to stop drilling while the tools are run in hole
bit. Given the action carried out, the directional driller and retrieved before the survey can be retrieved. [42]. this
calculates the probable course that the BHA [39], the can cause the string to get stuck in a hostile environment,
directional driller updates his model and takes the with a possible worst-case scenario of losing the string in
necessary course of action to keep the well on the well the hole. With the MWD, surveys are sent on the fly and
plan. Since not everyone in the team has access to the well decisions are made with respect to the next course of
planning software, a well plot is usually displayed in the action by the directional driller, MWD is based on the
shack of the directional driller, the company principle of sending pressure pulses up the mud column
representative’s office and in the town office of the inside the drill string, where a pressure transducer installed
operating company. On the well site, the responsibility of on the standpipe picks up the pulses. The computer to
updating the well plot lies with the directional driller, meaningful numbers to be displayed then translates these
while the drilling engineer updates the well plot in town. pulses. The directional driller to orient his motor bend
The idea is to have a one-look assessment of the progress housing to the desired direction uses the rig floor display.
being made on the directional drilling. It also displays the survey data for the wellbore. There are
two types of MWD tool modulation mechanisms: positive
SURVEY TOOLS pulse and negative pulse [43]. In the negative pulse
Several types of survey tools are utilized, with the modulation method, the tool diverts part of the drilling
most common, cheapest tool known as a Totco. This tool fluid to the wellbore by a side port. This lowers the
only provides inclination and is primarily used for standpipe pressure by a certain amount. When this is done
measuring the inclination in a vertical well. It carries a in sequence, pressure pulses are created and picked up by
disc of negative film, similar to the one found in old the pressure transducer on the surface. In the other
camera, along with a timer which, when activated, takes a method, a pressure wave is created by closing and opening
snapshot of the deflection unit. The Totco can be dropped a port inside the drill string with no loss towards the
or run on a slick line through the drill string. Once the annulus. This momentary closing of the port raises the
timer is activated, the Totco is then retrieved with a slick pressure inside the string and then creates a drop in
line or pulled out of hole along with the drill string, and pressure when opened. Each closed position translates to a
the disc is developed to know the deviation of the hole binary one, and each open translates to a binary zero. The
[40]. Gyros are the most reliable surveying tools in the surface computer into meaningful data then translates the
market today, and they are referenced as the benchmark sequence of zeros and ones. With advancements in
for all surveys. A significant advantage of these tools is technology, this positive pulse mechanism has been
the fact that they do not require a non-magnetic medium to upgraded to a continuous siren technology where a rotor
take the surveys; they have the magnetic compass replaced and stator are utilized with the speed of the rotor varied to
by a gyro compass disc [41] controlled by a high produce the zeros and ones. This upgrade in technology
revolution electric motor. Just like the single/multi-shot resulted in faster data rates to the surface and
tools, the gyro can measure both inclination and azimuth revolutionized the data streaming. Another form of MWD
of the wellbore. It consists of a camera, timer and the is known as the electromagnetic (EM) tool [44]. In this
gyrocompass. Figure 4 displays the compass section of the form of the tool, the signal is sent via electromagnetic
gyro tool. The operation of a gyro tool is different from a waves up through the formations and to the receivers
multi- or single-shot tool. A gyro first need to be oriented strategically placed in a grid on the surface. The signal is
to a known direction and the timer is set. It is then run in picked up by the receivers and translated into data by the
hole to the survey point where the survey is acquired and surface computers. This method eliminates the need for
the tool is then retrieved to the surface and the survey is using the drilling fluid as a medium to transport the signal
downloaded. When run on wireline, the Gyro tool is to the surface. As a result, the best application for this type
powered by the wireline and the surveys can be taken at of tool is in an underbalanced drilling environment where
different places and sent to the wireline logging unit in air, nitrogen or foam is utilized as the drilling fluid. Since
real time. This method gives instantaneous results to the mode of transmission is not drilling fluid, the data rate
enable the directional driller to make necessary decisions. is much higher when compared with regular mud pulse
In some scenarios, the gyro tool is run in hole with a side- systems. A limitation of the EM tool is the depth to which
entry sub and sliding is done based on the tool-face drilling needs to be conducted; deeper depths would
provided by the gyro. The only problem with this method require a signal boost, which would result in faster
is that the string cannot be rotated. Regardless of the draining of batteries and hence shorter battery life.
manner in which the gyro tool is run, one thing is certain: Another limitation could be from the formation; certain
it has to have the instrument properly centralized within formations tend to attenuate the electromagnetic signal
the drill string. For this to happen, two methods are more than others. In this case, prior field knowledge would
utilized: steel centralizers and rubber fingers.

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help to plan better and could, in some cases, determine by a set of turbines, which enables the tool to stay inside
that an EM tool cannot be run. the hole longer without a need to replace batteries. One
advantage of this system is that it has a completely
rotating collar along with the pads; no part of the collar is
stationary at any point. Unlike the push-the-bit system,
point-the-bit system utilizes mechanisms by which the bit
is ‘pointed’ in one direction so that the rotation of the drill
string would be guided in one particular direction only.
Several vendors have developed RSS systems to achieve
the pointing mechanism, that have similarities yet
technically different from one another. Figure 5 shows
point-the-bit system developed by Baker Hughes. The tool
has a set of ‘fins’ that engage with the wellbore and keep
the steering unit stationary while the rest of the string
rotates. This helps the unit to be pointed in one direction;
the fins are collapsed by sending commands to the RSS
before the tool is pulled out of hole to prevent damage to
Figure-4. Gyro compass section (Courtesy
the fins. The tool has a modular design, which enables the
Baker Hughes).
tool to receive commands from the MWD tool that is
attached to it; this eliminates the need for sending
ROTARY STEERABLE SYSTEM
commands via flow rate change. Instead, the surface
With conventional directional drilling done with
computers are used to send the command down to the
the aid of mud motors, there was a need for a system that
MWD [48], the tool comprises of a power module,
would be able to steer the well to the desired direction and
steering head and electronics module. Another system is
inclination without the need for stopping the drill string to
the Halliburton Geo-Pilot point-the-bit system. It consists
slide. A new tool was sought which would enable the
of a shaft supported by two bearings inside an outer
steering in a completely rotational mode only. This idea
housing measuring almost 18ft in length. Rotary seals at
translated into what is known as Rotary Steerable Systems
each end completely enclose the tool.
(RSS) [45, 46], RSS deploys two methods of deflecting
the string into the desired direction: point and push. In the
push-the-bit system, the drill string is pushed into a
specific direction by mechanical means in the form of
metallic pads. The system comprises of electronics, a
power section and a mechanical section that delivers the
push to the wellbore. Once the directional driller decides
on the course of action, he sends a command down to the
tool via a sequence of flow variations, and the electronics
in the tool recognizes these pre-programmed sequences. It
then translates them into the direction of push required, Figure-5. Point-the-Bit RSS system. (Courtesy of Baker
which is opposite of the desired direction (i.e., if the Hughes).
directional driller wishes to turn the wellbore to N 40
degree E, the tool would activate the pad to be pushing in RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
the direction of S 40 degree W in order to achieve a
direction of N 40 degree E). There are a set of three pads Approaches to True Vertical Depth
placed at 120 degree apart. The push is generated by a This is the projection of the measured depth
pointing device inside the housing, which diverts a along the vertical axis. In other words, if the well is
fraction of the flow towards the pads. This squirt of fluid vertical, the true vertical depth and measured depth would
is enough to generate a push; the pads collapse after they be the same from start to finish but if the well deviates,
pass the point where the push was required and give way there would be a difference between the two depths
to the next pad, which then pushes and collapses, and so depending on the inclination of the wellbore. In the
on. The pointing device is held stationary with respect to following figures (Figures 6-9), the difference would be
the collar so the pointing can take place in one direction displayed graphically.
only. The tool has a set of accelerometers and
magnetometers [47], which update internally the Approaches to J-type Well Calculations
inclination and azimuth so that the tool can self-correct if Figure-6 displays the schematic of a J-type well
the command is to hold at a particular inclination or where the radius of curvature for the build section, R, is
azimuth. This provides an extra piece of information to the less than the total displacement of the target presented by
directional driller, enabling him to know the survey right D2. Here, V1 is the TVD at the start of kick-off point, V2
at the bit. This feature facilitates quick decision-making is the TVD at the end of the curve at B and V3 is the final
and helps to keep a smooth wellbore. The tool is powered TVD of the target. B signifies the point at which the curve

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has been completed, and C points out the depth at TD Ø = Angle FOG + β………….………………………. [12]
(Total Depth) of the well.
Given Ø, the rest of the variables are calculated
°/30m as follows:
Build-up Rate is defined as BUR = …………. [1]
30
Ø
180 𝑥 30 MD @ A = V1 + ………...………………………. [13]
Radius of Curvature R = …………………. [2] 𝐵𝑈𝑅
𝐵𝑈𝑅 𝑥 𝜋

𝑅 𝐷2−𝑅
V2 = V1 + R1 Sin Ø…………………………………. [14]
Ø = 90° - Cos -1 [ ] + Tan -1[ ] …. [3]
√(𝑉3−𝑉1)2 +(𝐷2−𝑅)2 (𝑉3−𝑉1)
D1 = R1 (1 – Cos Ø) ………………...………………. [15]
Note: If the value of (D2-R) turns out to be
negative, then the absolute value needs to be considered MD @ C = MD @ A + OG…….……………………. [16]
for calculation purpose. In addition, if calculating in feet,
the BUR and radius calculations would have the 30 V3 = V2 + OG Cos Ø………..………………………. [17]
replaced with 100. Once Ø is calculated, the rest of the
variables are calculated as follows: D2 = D1 + OG Sin Ø……………...…………………. [18]

Ø Ø
MD @ B = V1 + ……………………………. [4] MD @ D = MD @ C + ………………………. [19]
𝐵𝑈𝑅 𝐷𝑂𝑅

V2 = V1 + R Sin Ø ……………………………. [5] MD @ E = MD @ D + (V5 – V4) …………………. [20]

D1 = R (1 – Cos Ø) ……………………………. [6] In the second scenario, the sum of radii (R1+R2)
is greater than the final target displacement D3. Figure-10
MD @ C = MD @ B + √(𝑉3 − 𝑉2)2 + (𝐷2 − 𝐷1)2 . [7] graphically displays the scenario. Figure-11 shows the
results from Banaka PGP-3 Well and similarly looks the
same as figure 10. In this scenario, the calculations are the
For a case where the radius of curvature R is
same as the last, with the exception of the following:
greater than the total displacement of the target D2 shown
in Figure-7, the rest of the calculations are the same except
X = R1 – (D3 – R2) ……………………………. [21]
the calculation of Ø. Figure-8 represents the schematic of
a J-type well from Jasionka where the outcome looks
Ø = Angle FOG – β ……………………………. [22]
similar to Figure-7.
𝑅 𝑅−𝐷2 The above scenarios of S- and J-type well
Ø = 90° - Cos -1 [ ] - Tan -1[ ] [8] calculations assumes that the well is vertical from the
√(𝑉3−𝑉1)2 +(𝑅−𝐷2)2 (𝑉3−𝑉1)
surface to the kick-off point, and that the trajectory is in a
Approaches to S-type Well Calculations single plane d that is allied with other scholars like [50]. In
For calculating the different parameters of an S- cases where the trajectory is in three-dimension with
type well and that is allied with other scholars like [49], changes in azimuth besides inclination, formulas that are
Figure-9 displays the basic definitions and similar to a J- more sophisticated would be required. For such cases,
type well, there are two scenarios to consider. In the first advanced well planning software is available. In addition,
scenario, the sum of the two radii (R1+R2) is less than the if the target coordinates are provided in horizontal plane
total target displacement, referred to as D3. BUR is coordinates N/S, E/W, then the horizontal displacement of
calculated in the same manner as before and so is the drop- the target can be calculated as follows:
off rate, DOR. DOR is the rate of drop from point C to
point D in Figure-8. D3 = √𝑁/𝑆 𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 2 + 𝐸/𝑊 𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑒 2 …. [23]
180 𝑥 30 180 𝑥 30
R1= , R2 = …………………………. [9]
𝐵𝑈𝑅 𝑥 𝜋 𝐷𝑂𝑅 𝑥 𝜋

In order to calculate Ø, several steps have to be

taken:
𝑋
X = D3 – (R1+R2), Angle β = Tan -1 ( ) ……. [10]
(𝑉4−𝑉1)

𝑉4−𝑉1
OF = , OG =√𝑂𝐹 2 − (𝑅1 + 𝑅2)2 , Angle FOG =
𝐶𝑜𝑠 β
𝑅1+𝑅2
Sin-1 ( ) ………………………… [11]
𝑂𝐹

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Figure-6. Schematic of a J-Type Well, R<D. Figure-7. Schematic of a J-Type Well, R>D.

Figure-8. Schematic of a J-Type from Jasionka 10K Well Plan #1.

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Figure-9. Schematic of an S-Type Well, R1+R2 < D3. Figure-10. Schematic of an S-Type Well, l, R1+R2 > D3.

Figure-11. Schematic of a S-Type from Banaka PGP-3 Well Plan #1.

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CONCULSIONS [6] E. Kotlyarova, A. Ermolaev and S. Efimov. 2019.

For drilling a directional well, a survey tool is Selection of Optimal Sidetracking Options for
necessary. There are many survey tools available in the Underground Gas Storage Wells. DOI: 10.3997/2214-
market and their selection is dependent on the application
4609.201901886, Conference: Horizontal Wells
desired. These survey tools range from Totco and gyro to
MWDs. For benchmarking surveys, the best survey tool is Challenges and Opportunities.
the gyro that is run after the well is drilled. Knowing the
exact placement of each well would help to determine the [7] Ellis H. Austin. 1983. Offshore Rig Types. DOI:
well plan for the other wells on the pad in order to avoid 10.1007/978-94-009-7261-2_6, In book: Drilling
collision. Having looked at the most common RSS Engineering Handbook.
systems, their advantage lies in an environment where
high day rates are encountered. Their excessive cost in [8] Helmut Herrmann, and Herbert Bucksch. 2014.
such environments are justified with their ability to Vertical well. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-41714-
continuously steer through tough and challenging 6_220560, In book: Dictionary Geotechnical
environments, providing higher rates of penetration Engineering/ Wörterbuch GeoTechnik.
compared with conventional mud motors. In areas that
have, extremely low sliding ROP compared with rotary [9] Bashir Busahmin, Saed N. H and Gamal Alusta. 2017.
ROP, RSS systems are certainly an advantage. Areas that
Analysis of Hole Cleaning for a Vertical Well. Open
have stratigraphic challenges also present a strong case for
the use of RSS, with their ability to place the well in best Access Library Journal volume 4(e3579): 10DOI:
part of the reservoir by geo-steering within thin beds. The 10.4236/oalib.
agitator tool was designed with a specific goal in mind: to
help the operator in drilling longer horizontals by [10] J. C. Scott. 1951. Folded Faults in Rocky Mountain
overcoming the torque and drag experienced while sliding Foothills of Alberta, Canada. DOI:
a steerable motor assembly through the section. 10.1306/3D934346-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D,
AAPG Bulletin 35.
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We did not require any funding for the current [11] Helmut Herrmann and Herbert Bucksch. 2014. Relief
research. The work was conducted with integrity, and
Wells. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-41714-6_181480, In
honesty. On behalf of the co-author, the corresponding
author states that there is no conflict of interest. book: Dictionary Geotechnical
Engineering/Wörterbuch GeoTechnik.
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